Organisers of a ladies charity cycle ride in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care and inspired by the Friends Life Women’s Tour are appealing for people to help with marshalling at the event.

Cycle Suffolk are inviting ladies to take part in the The Women on Wheels (WoW) charity ladies cycle ride, sponsored by Rudlings Wakelam, in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care, which takes place on the day that the world's best international female cyclists cross the finish line on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds at the end of the inaugural Friends Life Women's Tour, on Sunday 11 May. The Tour is the country's first ever international stage race for women and is supported in Suffolk by brewers Adnams.

The volunteer marshals will be needed to support marshals from Mildenhall Cycling Club in a variety of jobs including signing people in and directing them on the town parts of the route. The volunteers will be needed for a few hours between 7am and 12.30pm on 11 May and will need to wear clothing suitable for all weather conditions and bring water.

The Women on Wheels charity ladies cycle ride will allow participants to choose from a short (5 miles) or long (20 miles) route through countryside cycle paths starting at 8am and 8.30am (sign in from 7am). The rides will start in Charter Square and finish at the Abbey Gardens before the Friends Life Women's Tour’s grand finish on Angel Hill. The ride will be fully marshalled and signed and is open to women and girls eight and over of all abilities.

Lucy Alfred, Events Officer at St Nicholas Hospice Care, said: “The marshals make a huge difference, particularly on the parts of the route which are in town. Without them we couldn’t run the event. They ensure the safety of participants and provide a friendly face to guide them through.”

Mildenhall Cycling Club has played a vital part in the charity ride, planning the routes, providing a core team of marshals and liaising with local organisations including Thurston WI which is kindly providing refreshments at Thurston Sports Education Centre. They will also be providing three ride leaders who will be travelling with the 20 mile riders to support and provide encouragement and ensure they get back in time to watch the finish of the Friends Life Women’s Tour on Angel Hill.

Ann Williamson, from Mildenhall Cycling Club, said: “This event is a great opportunity to get ladies on their bikes using cycle routes and quiet lanes and to raise money for the hospice. Cycling is a fast growing sport but sadly ladies are in the minority and I hope that this event will encourage them to continue cycling.”

If you are interested in volunteering as a marshal for the ride contact Lucy Alfred at lucy.fundraising@stnh.org.uk or call 01284 715559. All marshals will need to attend a briefing session prior to the event.

There’s still time to register to take part in the ride, visit www.suffolksport.com/wow to register